The White House’s Office of Budget and Management officially requested $1 billion to restore Great Salt Lake as part of the annual budget proposal to Congress. The annual budget helps shape congressional priorities for funding requests. The Office’s inclusion of Great Salt Lake significantly increases the likelihood of receiving congressional approval for critical, lake-saving funds this year.
Now, we need your help to ensure that this funding proposal crosses the finish line. Please use the template below to urge your lawmakers to support this essential investment to save Great Salt Lake.
According to the FY 2027 US Government Budget, the appropriation would establish a “Great Salt Lake Preservation Program” led by the Department of the Interior, in partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers, US Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the State of Utah, to “improve water flows, restore ecosystems, remove invasive species, and address toxins in the lakebed.”
“Together these investments would ensure the Great Salt Lake continues to support global aquaculture, serves as a domestic source of critical minerals, and drives economic activity in Utah and beyond,” the budget states.
Saving Great Salt Lake is an American problem: The lake underpins major industries, contributes to a multi-billion dollar economy, maintains a globally important ecosystem, and impacts air quality for millions of Americans. It’s also an American investment: A healthy lake could prevent catastrophic public health, economic, and ecological consequences across the country.
This federal funding is urgently needed, and it should supplement proven, conservation-first solutions like voluntary water markets—where willing water users lease or sell water to the lake—and stronger urban conservation.
More speculative approaches—like large-scale augmentation or pipelines—are often unproven, extremely costly, and difficult to implement. With limited time and resources, investments should focus on solutions that deliver results today—not decades down the line.
As the budget proposal moves to Congress for approval, we need voices from across the country to ensure it passes. Reach out to your members of Congress and urge them to support full federal funding for Great Salt Lake!
Together, we can turn this moment into real progress for Great Salt Lake and for our nation it supports.
Letter Writing Template
Find your Members of Congress here.
Example Subject Line: Support Federal Funding for Great Salt Lake
Dear [Senator/Representative Last Name],
I’m writing as a constituent from [City, State] to urge you to support full federal funding for Great Salt Lake in the FY 2027 budget.
The continued decline of Great Salt Lake presents a growing national problem. The lake supports key industries, contributes billions to the U.S. economy, upholds a globally important ecosystem, and serves as a domestic source of critical minerals. It also plays an important role in regional air quality, with impacts that extend well beyond state lines.
As water levels decline, the risks to public health, ecosystems, and economic stability continue to grow. Without action, these challenges will become more costly and more difficult to address.
The proposed $1 billion investment prioritized by President Trump and the Office of Budget and Management would establish a coordinated federal effort to improve water flows, restore ecosystems, and address toxic dust from the exposed lakebed. This funding and increased coordination would be a meaningful step toward protecting both regional and national interests.
I urge you to support this funding and work with your colleagues to ensure Great Salt Lake receives the federal investment it demands.
Thank you for your time and your service.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
